The Finger Lakes Institute already has a NYSDEC License to Collect and Possess and Sarah explained how it is used to cover classes and workshop groups.

The Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology, Inc. will apply. The Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency (WQMA) will also apply to cover Planning, Health and Cooperative Extension.

Target Species for Surveys:

Discussion on credibility in positively identifying Asian clam. Will ask the Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) to take responsibility for verifying shells as Asian clams.

Will also look for Chinese Mystery Snail.

Visual Surveys for Asian Clam Shells:

Ed Wagner will do underwater visual surveys. Planned survey area includes beach and yacht club area, and Buck's Point to South Cove.

Bob Brower stated that the Walt Aikman's class at Cayuga Community College is learning about the clams and asking for volunteers from his class to go out mid to late April to do visual surveys.

Dick Coalson and Joe Wasileski will also visually check out some of the mapped locations.

Timeline and Priorities:

Next meeting will be held in mid-April once preliminary survey results are in.

Funding Opportunities:

Possible funding sources were discussed.

Mid-Atlantic Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species has a request for proposals. Funding limit is $15,000 and the deadline is April 5th. The Finger Lakes Institute took the lead for a proposal they are submitting with IAGT to do transects and develop remedies. The Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency will write and submit a support letter and work to get a support letter from the County Chairman. Sample letters will be sent to Vicky Murphy and Ed Wagner to get the City of Auburn and Town of Owasco to provide support letters.

Upcoming Workshops and Meetings

Include the Invasive Species Symposium in Albany on April 5th and 6th; the NYSFOLA Conference on April 29th to May 1st, and the Third Invasive Species Workshop at Alverna Heights on May 4th.

Other:

Find out the status of the boat washing equipment that used to be used at Emerson Park to prevent zebra mussels from entering the lake.